Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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277. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when a decision will be made on the applications under the voluntary bog purchase scheme regarding sites in category 2 natural heritage areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43306/15]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Review of Raised Bog Natural Heritage Area Network, published in January 2014, provides detail on future arrangements regarding turf cutting on each of the 75 current raised bog natural heritage areas. The Reviewhas concluded that Ireland could more effectively achieve conservation of threatened raised bog habitat through focused protection and restoration of a reconfigured network. This will entail the phasing out of turf cutting on certain natural heritage areas by 1 January 2017 and the partial or complete de-designation of certain natural heritage areas.

46 raised bog natural heritage areas (including parts of 7 natural heritage areas) are scheduled for de-designation. These sites are also known as category 2 natural heritage areas.

Regulatory change will be required to give full effect to the de-designation of the sites. The appropriate form of this change is being considered within my Department and I expect that the process will be completed by early 2016.

The position of applicants under the Voluntary Bog Purchase Scheme, with bog plots in category 2 natural heritage areas, is also being considered within my Department.